The Parable of the Large Banquet

¹⁵ When^(A) one of those who reclined at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “The one who will eat bread in the kingdom of God^(B) is blessed!”

¹⁶ Then He told him: “A man was giving a large banquet and invited many. ¹⁷ At the time of the banquet, he sent his slave to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, because everything is now ready.’

¹⁸ “But without exception^[a] they all began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.’

¹⁹ “Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m going to try them out. I ask you to excuse me.’

²⁰ “And another said, ‘I just got married,^[b](C) and therefore I’m unable to come.’

²¹ “So the slave came back and reported these things to his master. Then in anger, the master of the house told his slave, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame!’^(D)

²² “‘Master,’ the slave said, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there’s still room.’

²³ “Then the master told the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be filled. ²⁴ For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will enjoy my banquet!’”